BWI airport and Southwest - is there a skycap for curbside check in

[Melrosgirl]

I don't recall seeing a skycap for curbside checkin at BWI and Southwest. Anyone know? we're gonna have a lot of bags this time around and dh won't be there to help me drag them inside. thanks!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Yes there is...or at least there was in October when we flew down. We planned on using the skycaps when we went down but they were swamped so we went inside and practically walked right up to the SWA desk!

 

[jetfxr69]

There are skycaps at BWI. They are not employees of SWA, but will check your bags for SWA. They will then cart them to SWA baggage belt and away they go. These guys basically work for tips and since they are not associated with SWA it is your decision to tip or not. If you want your bags to get on our bag belts though, I would suggest a couple bucks. Good luck.

 

[Melrosgirl]

thanks. ! (I'm a good tipper.

 

[heyabbott]

There are skycaps at BWI. They are not employees of SWA, but will check your bags for SWA. They will then cart them to SWA baggage belt and away they go. These guys basically work for tips and since they are not associated with SWA it is your decision to tip or not. If you want your bags to get on our bag belts though, I would suggest a couple bucks. Good luck.

We flew SW from BWI last month. Curb side check in, YES. Tipped the guy $20 and the bags arrived.

 

[jetfxr69]

$20 is a very nice tip! I would expect a couple bucks per bag is sufficient though. At BWI the skycap stations are right in front of the SWA ticket counters(albeit outside). Not much chance of your bags not getting to the belt.

 

[heyabbott]

$20 is a very nice tip! I would expect a couple bucks per bag is sufficient though. At BWI the skycap stations are right in front of the SWA ticket counters(albeit outside). Not much chance of your bags not getting to the belt.

There are 4 of us, so I tip these guys $5 a bag.
When I'm on vacation I'm like Steve Martin in "My Blue Heaven" I don't believe in tipping, I believe in over tipping.

 

[WillCAD]

Call me a moron, but where do I go, what do I do, how do I act, and what do these skycap folks look like?

 

[jetfxr69]

How soon before you leave. The reason I ask is that on May 18th or so we will be opening a new terminal extension at BWI. If you leave before May 18, then take upper deck(departures) and after driving about 300 yards, SWA will be the second stop(i think delta is stop 1). As you unload from your car you will see several small counters with gentlemen tagging bags on the curb(outside). Thats them.

If you leave after May 18, as soon as you get on the upper deck, the first stop is all SWA. We have the whole A terminal. Im not sure how they will set up curbside checkin yet, but imagine it will be right out on the curb as it presently is. Dont sweat it. Taking care of you and your bags on SWA should be the least of your worrys! If at any time your not sure where or what to do, ask any SWA employee for help. Its kind of like WDW. Even though I work as a mechanic, I have many times helped passengers that needed a hand. Giving instructions, helping with bags or strollers, directing people towards counters or gates, etc. Its my job to make sure you have a great experience with us and come back again.

You will not hear, "its not my job" from us. If I cant help you I will find someone who can! Happy travels!

 

[ClanHarrison]

You are soooo refreshing for today's society. If all (or most) of the SW employees are as diligent as you are, I am REALLY looking forward to our trip in Aug.

 

[WillCAD]

How soon before you leave. The reason I ask is that on May 18th or so we will be opening a new terminal extension at BWI. If you leave before May 18, then take upper deck(departures) and after driving about 300 yards, SWA will be the second stop(i think delta is stop 1). As you unload from your car you will see several small counters with gentlemen tagging bags on the curb(outside). Thats them.

If you leave after May 18, as soon as you get on the upper deck, the first stop is all SWA. We have the whole A terminal. Im not sure how they will set up curbside checkin yet, but imagine it will be right out on the curb as it presently is. Dont sweat it. Taking care of you and your bags on SWA should be the least of your worrys! If at any time your not sure where or what to do, ask any SWA employee for help. Its kind of like WDW. Even though I work as a mechanic, I have many times helped passengers that needed a hand. Giving instructions, helping with bags or strollers, directing people towards counters or gates, etc. Its my job to make sure you have a great experience with us and come back again.

You will not hear, "its not my job" from us. If I cant help you I will find someone who can! Happy travels!

Thanks jetfxr! You know, I work for URS, the company that designed the SWA terminal expansion at BWI. I didn't realize that it was opening around May 18th - I'm flying out on an afternoon flight on May 19th!

ClanHarrison, I have flown SWA several times and the employees all seem to take pride in thier work and customer service. they're all just nice people!

 

[jetfxr69]

Thanks for the kind words. I too hope all my co-workers are as kind to our passengers as they can be. As for the terminal opening date, the last we heard it was slated for May 18th. I'm not sure how the progress is going on construction, so I would imagine nothing is in stone on that date. We (SWA) will be moving part of our operations overnight and expect if the date of opening changes, they will tell us. I'll try to keep you all posted.

 

[disneyldwjr]

How soon before you leave. The reason I ask is that on May 18th or so we will be opening a new terminal extension at BWI. If you leave before May 18, then take upper deck(departures) and after driving about 300 yards, SWA will be the second stop(i think delta is stop 1). As you unload from your car you will see several small counters with gentlemen tagging bags on the curb(outside). Thats them.

If you leave after May 18, as soon as you get on the upper deck, the first stop is all SWA. We have the whole A terminal. Im not sure how they will set up curbside checkin yet, but imagine it will be right out on the curb as it presently is. Dont sweat it. Taking care of you and your bags on SWA should be the least of your worrys! If at any time your not sure where or what to do, ask any SWA employee for help. Its kind of like WDW. Even though I work as a mechanic, I have many times helped passengers that needed a hand. Giving instructions, helping with bags or strollers, directing people towards counters or gates, etc. Its my job to make sure you have a great experience with us and come back again.

You will not hear, "its not my job" from us. If I cant help you I will find someone who can! Happy travels!

Ah, you are just another reason why I LOVE SWA!!!!

 

[bizeemom4]

We are flying from BWI to MCO on the 19th. I guess we'll be using the brand new terminal. How does curbside check work with the new Magical Express?

 

[jetfxr69]

I am using ME from BWI as well. I dont think there is any signifigance at check-in. As long as you have the special ME bag tags affixed to your bags, they will be checked in and loaded on your flight as normally done. The only difference is at arrival to MCO. SWA and/or the curbside check-in dont have anything to do with ME.

From what I understand, when you arrive at MCO and your bags come out onto the carousel, someone from Disney will be looking for the ME tags and grab any bags that have them. They will load them on a truck and deliver 'em to your room. ME is not affiliated with any airline specifically. It is arranged between you and WDW. SWA or any other airline for that matter do not have any say or input into the proccess. They will take your bags, load them on the plane, unload them at MCO, place them at baggage claim, and at that point they(airlines) are done with them. If anyone can correct me on this I would appreciate it.

 

[disneyldwjr]

We are flying from BWI to MCO on the 19th. I guess we'll be using the brand new terminal. How does curbside check work with the new Magical Express?

Same way it works without Magical Express.

 

[ClanHarrison]

We are flying from BWI to MCO on the 19th. I guess we'll be using the brand new terminal. How does curbside check work with the new Magical Express?

Hi bizeemom4. We're also leaving BWI to MCO on the 19th and I can't wait!

 

[jetfxr69]

We just got an update from the company on the opening of the new terminal at BWI. Between May 5-16 there will be various things going on like grand opening ceremonies, press day, employee tours, etc. As far as flying goes, our aircraft that arrive and stay overnight here will begin to park at the terminal on May 17th. The morning of May 18 our first departure flights begin. After that it is open fully. I believe they will be shutting down some of our older gates, so most people will go through the new terminal.

Those of you who are familiar with BWI will be VERY impressed with the new look. It is quite large and very open compared to our existing terminal. The new terminal has lots of windows and gives a great view of the on goings on the ramp. Maybe you'll see me out there working on a plane. I'll be the guy smiling!

 

[bizeemom4]

Hi bizeemom4. We're also leaving BWI to MCO on the 19th and I can't wait!

What flight are you on?

 

[ClanHarrison]

What flight are you on?

bizeemom4: I just sent you a PM.